People demand quality construction works

People in Karonga have asked duty-bearers to engage contractors who can complete projects on time as well as execute quality construction works in the district.

The demand follows the delay to complete projects in four health facilities of Kasoba, Mwenilondo, Lupembe and Mlare in Paramount Chief Kyungu’s area.

Speaking on Monday during a meeting of community leaders on the delay of the projects organised by Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), group village head Kayuni said they are worried with how the council identifies the same contractors who allegedly do substandard work.

He said: “A waiting shelter at Lupembe Health Centre and a hospital staff house at Mwenilondo Health Centre have developed cracks. How is that possible that the same contractors, with such type of incompetence, are offered contracts?”

But Karonga District Council public works service committee chairperson Steven Simsokwe said the contractors for the two cited projects will redo the works before handing them over to the community.

In an interview, Oxfam Malawi health governance programme officer Rejoice Kankhande, whose organisation is funding CHRR’s health governance project, said the meeting gave an opportunity to duty-bearers and communities to discuss issues affecting healthcare service delivery in the area.